Track Listing

1. She Runs Away
2. In The Absence Of Sun
3. Barely Breathing
4. Reasons For Living
5. Serena
6. November
7. Out Of Order
8. Little Hands
9. End Of Outside
10. Home
11. Days Go By

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #155198 in Music
• Released on: 1996-09-23
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

CD Description
Yeah, we know, what does the world need with one more introspective white male singer/songwriter, no matter how many pop hooks he's got up his sleeve? Well, before you go writing off Duncan Sheik as Matthew Sweet 'N' Low, check out all thenooks and crannies on his debut album. In between the radio-ready triple-A surefires, you'll find fragile acoustic cutsthat sound like Nick Drake playing the Beatles songbook; eccentric, Brian Wilson-derived pop ditties; and an individualistic streak that prevents Sheik's music from ever truly achieving the generic, everyman sound some of his songs strive for.
Throughout the album, guitar-driven pop-rock combines with lush, orchestral passages to create a moody, '60s-oriented sound that locates Sheik's influences squarely in the SGT. PEPPER era, with a side-order of early Big Star for good measure. If those aren't hip enough reference points for you, how many other singer-songwriter albums do you know thatfeature a guest appearance by Howard Jones?

Customer Reviews

A pearl amidst the morass of mediocrity
There is a unique depth to this album. Every song has an atmosphere rarely found these days and the playing, production and performance are sheer quality. There is no pandering to commercialism yet the sound is truly contemporary. Absence of Sun, Barely Breathing and Days Go By are highlights for me but there are no weak tracks, and some great lines - a true artist and mature songwriter here despite his age. A total gem - looking forward to the next one.

A talented artist, a super album.
Duncan Sheik goes rather un-noticed on this side of the Atlantic, despite the fact that a song from this album, "Barely Breathing" was at the number one spot for weeks in the States. I'm no music critic, so I'm not going to try and tell you about the sound, form or whatever of the songs. Suffice to say that almost EVERYONE I have played the album for has liked it, some even tried(and succeded) to steal it! It's not heavy or dark or "Grungy" and the VERY odd person might even find it too "wishy, washy" lyric wise(which I personaly think is rubish) but, generaly speeking, it appeals to everyone on some level or another. Don't let the fact that you never heard of him, or have never seen the CD in a store put you off, you could do alot worse with some of the well known, chart toping ones. Buy this album, you wont be dissapointed.

Moving Debut
I acquired this CD in 1997 when "Barely Breathing" was on the airwaves in the States. I saw him at a free concert in Boston and was so impressed that I bought the CD right there. To my roommates' despair, I played the CD for the next couple of weeks and sang along with it--wearing out Duncan's welcome in our very claustrophobic dorm room.

The album is amazing from start to finish. Memorable tracks are "She Runs Away," "Barely Breathing," "Reasons for Living," and "Days Go By." My personal favorite is "End of Outside"--eastern influences intermixed with intricate and effective orchestrations. "Out of Order" and "Home" are pretty poignant with their melancholy lyrics.